Oxidation of alkly-aromatic compounds

ABSTRACT

A process for the oxidation of an alkyl-aromatic compound, wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with an oxidising agent or sulfur compound in the presence of an ionic liquid is described. In this process, air, dioxygen, peroxide, superoxide, any other form of active oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, nitric acid or other oxides (or oxyhalides) of nitrogen (hydrate or anhydrous) are preferably used as the oxidising agent. The process is usually under Bronsted acidic conditions. The product of the oxidation reaction is preferably a carboxylic acid or ketone or an intermediate compound in the oxidation such as an aldehyde, or alcohol. The oxidation is preferably performed in an ionic liquid containing an acid promoter such as methanesulfonic acid.

[0001] This invention relates to a process for the oxidation of aromatic compounds such as toluene and xylene. The oxidation of compounds such as toluene and xylene are important reactions and are carried out on a large scale. The products of the oxidation reactions, e.g. terephthalic acid, are widely used in the polymer industry.

[0002] Various methods exist for the oxidation of toluene, including oxidation with dioxygen, using a cobalt(III)^(1,2) catalyst, periodate,³ air using Cs₅[SiW₁₁O₃₉Ru(III) (H₂O)].7H₂O as a catalyst (59% yield).⁴ hypochlorite catalysed by Ru(VIII)oxide tetroxide in [Bu₄N]Br.⁵ These methods work well, but require either stoicheiometric quantities of oxidising agent or require special catalysts.

[0003] We have developed a procedure for the oxidation of alkylated aromatic compounds that either partially or completely oxidises the alkyl group to an alcohol, aldehyde, ketone or carboxylic acid.

[0004] Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the oxidation of an alkyl-aromatic compound, wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with an oxidising agent or sulfur compound in the presence of an ionic liquid.

[0005] In this process, air, dioxygen, peroxide, superoxide, any other form of active oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, nitric acid or other oxides (or oxyhalides) of nitrogen (hydrated or anhydrous) are preferably used as the oxidising agent. The process is usually under Bronsted acidic conditions.

[0006] Preferably, the process involves the oxidation of the alkyl side chain of the aromatic compound in the presence of a nitrogen oxyacid species such as nitrate or nitric acid. This nitrogen(V) species oxidises the alkyl group, and is in turn reduced to a lower valent form of nitrogen. This lower valent form of nitrogen can be re-oxidised back to nitrogen(V) by means of an oxidising agent. Other oxidising agents suitable include dioxygen (air), oxygen, peroxides, superoxides.

[0007] Other suitable oxidating agents are certain sulfur compounds such as the sulfur acid/bases, eg H₂SO₄ or H₂SO₃.

[0008] This invention also allows for the separation of the ionic liquid and product by physical or chemical means such as distillation, steam distillation, azeotropic distillation, sublimation, gravity separation, solvent extraction, crystallisation, supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography.

[0009] Ionic liquids consist of two components, which are a positively charged cation and a negatively charged anion. Generally, any compound that meets the criterion of being a salt (consisting of an anion and cation) and is fluid at or near the reaction temperature or exists in a fluid state during any stage of the reaction may be defined as an ionic liquid.

[0010] The cation for the present process is preferably a 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cation such as 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium. Other cations for this process are ammonium, pyrazolium, and other pyridinium, alkyl- or poly-alkylpyridinium, alkyl- or poly-alkyl phosphonium cations.

[0011] The anion for the process is preferably a sulfur-containing anion, such as sulfate, hydrogensulfate. Non-sulfur containing anions include those based on nitrogen, phosphorus, boron, silicon, selenium, tellurium, halogens, oxoanions of metals, and organic anions, such as trifluoroacetate, acetate, and anions that are arsenic, antimony, and bismuth based. The preferred anions are nitrate or methanesulfonate.

[0012] More than one ionic liquid or any combination of ionic liquids can be used in the present invention.

[0013] Suitable Process conditions.

[0014] Temperature: ideally 100-120° C. but to include 0 to 250° C.

[0015] Pressure: ideally, atmospheric, but include 1 mbar to 100 bar

[0016] Time: ideally 24-48 hours, can be 1 minute to 1 month.

[0017] The reaction preferably requires an acid to be present. This acid is generally an oxoacid of nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or an organic acid anion (e.g. acetate, trifluoroacetate).

[0018] The oxidation of toluene is shown in scheme 1. As can be seen, the reaction can be carried out in [bmim] [OMs] (“OMs”=methanesulfonate) by the addition of nitric acid or in [bmim] [NO₃] by the addition of methanesulfonic acid.

[0019] As the reaction proceeds, the nitrate or nitric acid (the oxidising agent) is believed to be reduced to nitrous acid, which is unstable under the acidic conditions employed in the reaction. This in turn is re-oxidised back to nitrate/nitric acid by an oxidising agent. The dioxygen in air will suffice, but other oxidants such as peroxides are also suitable.

[0020] The reaction can be carried out using a stoichiometric amount of nitric acid (or nitrate) or can be performed catalytically. In the latter case, if air is used to re-oxidise the nitrous acid formed in the reaction, the overall reaction is shown in scheme 2.

[0021] Other compounds oxidizable by this invention are o- or p-xylene, firstly to o- or p-toluic acid (2- or 4-methylbenzoic acid) then to, phthalic acid or terphthalic acids respectively. Ethylbenzene and n-propylbenzene can be oxidized under similar conditions to acetophenone and propiophenone as the major products. Also formed in these two reactions are benzoic acid, presumably from oxidative cleavage of the alkyl group.

[0022] The present invention is further illustrated with reference to the following Examples:

EXAMPLES

[0023] 1. Oxidation of Toluene in [bmim] [OMs]

[0024] In a round-bottomed flask (25 cm³) equipped with a magnetic stirrer flea and reflux condenser, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate (0.23 g, 1 mmol) and toluene (0.18 g, 2 mmol) were added. 67% aqueous nitric acid (0.28 g, 3 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux for 48 hours. The flask was cooled and the products analysed by gas chromatography. All of the toluene had reacted and signals due to benzoic acid (70% yield) and a by-product (2- and 4-nitrotoluene) were detected. The product(s) was isolated by Kugelrohr distillation at 5 mm Hg. This gave pale yellow oil (bp=100° C. at 5 mmHg) nitrotoluene and a colourless solid (bp=150° at 5 mmHg)—benzoic acid. The structures were confirmed by NMR analysis and were in accordance with authentic material.

[0025] 2. Oxidation of Toluene in [bmim] [OMs]

[0026] In a round-bottomed flask (25 cm³) equipped with a magnetic stirrer flea and reflux condensed, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate (0.23 g, 1 mmol) and toluene (0.46 g, 5 mmol) were added. 67% aqueous nitric acid (0.18 g, 2 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux for 48 hours. The flask was cooled and the products analysed by gas chromatography. All of the toluene had reacted and signals due to benzoic acid (90% yield) and a by-product product (2- and 4-nitrotoluene) were detected. The product(s) was isolated by Kugelrohr distillation at 5 mmHg. This gave pale yellow oil (bp=100° C. at 5 mmHg) nitrotoluene and a colourless solid (bp=150° at 5 mmHg)—benzoic acid. The structures were confirmed by NMR analysis and were in accordance with authentic material.

[0027] 3. Oxidation of Toluene in [bmim] [NO₃]

[0028] In a round-bottomed flask (25 cm³) equipped with a magnetic stirrer flea and reflux condensed, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate (0.23 g, 2 mmol) and toluene (0.46 g, 5 mmol) were added. 67% methanesulfonic acid (0.29 g, 3 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux for 48 hours. The flask was cooled and the products analysed by gas chromatography. All of the toluene had reacted and signals due to benzoic acid (85% yield) and a by-product (2- and 4-nitrotoluene) were detected. The product(s) was isolated by Kugelrohr distillation at 5 mmHg. This gave pale yellow oil (bp=100° C. at 5 mmHg) nitrotoluene and a colourless solid (bp=150° at 5 mmHg)—benzoic acid. The structures were confirmed by NMR analysis and were in accordance with authentic material.

[0029] 4. Oxidation of Ethylbenzene

[0030] In a 50 cm³ round bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirrer and reflux condenser, was added ethylbenzene (1.06 g, 10 mmol) and [bmim][OMs] (1.0 g). 67% Nitric acid (0.45 g, 5 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux. After 48 hours the mixture was analysed by gas chromatography and found to contain 19% unreacted ethylbenzene, 23% benzoic acid and 57% acetophenone. The mixture was cooled and water (50 cm³) was added. The products were extracted with diethyl ether (4×20 cm³), concentrated on a rotary evaporator and purified by Kugelrohr distillation. This gave acetophenone (0.62 g, 51%) and benzoic acid (0.22 g, 18%).

[0031] 5. Oxidation of p-xylene

[0032] In a 50 cm³ round bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirrer and reflux condenser, was added p-xylene (1.07 g, 10 mmol) and [bmim] [OMs] (2.0 g). 67% Nitric acid (0.90 g, 10 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux. After 24 hours the mixture was analysed by gas chromatography (approximately 50% conversion), cooled and water (50 cm³) was added. The resultant precipitate was collected by filtration and purified by vacuum sublimation on a Kugelrohr apparatus. This gave two crystalline solids, that were identified as 4-methylbenzoic acid (0.50 g, 37%) and benzene-1,4-dioic acid (terephthalic acid) (0.08 g, 5%). The remainder was unreacted p-xylene.

[0033] The aqueous filtrate containing the ionic liquid was concentrated on a rotary evaporator (80° C. at 50 mmHg) and transferred to the 50 cm³ round bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirrer and reflux condenser. p-Xylene (5.35 g, 50 mmol) and 67% nitric acid (0.90 g, 10 mmol) was added. The mixture was heated under reflux for 5 days, then cooled to room temperature. During this time some of the p-xylene was lost through evaporation. Dilution with water, filtration and sublimation (as above) gave 4-methylbenzoic acid (1.63 g, 24%) and benzene-1,4-dioic acid (terephthalic acid) (0.24 g, 3%). The remainder was unreacted p-xylene.

[0034] 6. Oxidation of o-xylene

[0035] In a 50 cm³ round bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirrer and reflux condenser, was added o-xylene (1.07 g, 10 mmol) and [bmim] [OMs] (1.0 g). 67% Nitric acid (0.45 g, 5 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux. After 40 hours the mixture was analysed by gas chromatography and gave 42% conversion to 2-methylbenzoic acid and trace of phthalic acid. The remainder was unreacted o-xylene.

[0036] 7. Oxidation of Propylbenzene

[0037] In a 50 cm³ round bottomed flask, equipped with a magnetic stirrer and reflux condenser, was added propylbenzene (1.21 g, 10 mmol) and [bmim] [OMs] (1.0 g). 67% Nitric acid (0.45 g, 5 mmol) was cautiously added and the mixture heated under reflux. After 54, 80 hours the mixture was analysed by gas chromatography and found to give 15% conversion. Three products were identified (GCMS) as: propiophenone, benzoic acid and 3-phenylpentane in the ratio (2:1:trace).

[0038] In particular, the present invention relates to a process whereby aromatic compounds bearing an alkyl substituent are oxidised on the alkyl chain on the carbon atom next to the aromatic ring, and where the oxidation is performed in an ionic liquid.

[0039] The product of the oxidation reaction is preferably a carboxylic acid or ketone or an intermediate compound in the oxidation such as an aldehyde, or alcohol.

[0040] The oxidation is preferably performed in an ionic liquid containing an acid promoter such as methanesulfonic acid.

[0041] The oxidation is preferably performed in an ionic liquid containing a nitrogen acid or salt such as nitric acid, nitrous acid, nitrate or nitrite salt. The ionic liquid/acidic promoter combination can be used as a catalyst for the oxidation.

[0042] The ionic liquid/acidic promoter can be re-oxidised by an oxidising agent (such as dioxygen in air), and the ionic liquid/acidic promoter can be recycled and reused in further reactions.

[0043] The ionic liquid/acidic promoter can be separated from the product by some physical or chemical means such as distillation, steam distillation, azeotropic distillation, sublimation, gravity separation, solvent extraction, crystallisation, supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography.

[0044] The present invention also extends to the use of an ionic liquid in the oxidation of an alkyl-aromatic compound, as well as an oxidised alkyl-aromatic compound whenever prepared by a process of the present invention.

[0045] References

[0046]^([1]) Hay, A. S.; Blanchard, H. S. Can. J. Chem., 1965, 43, 1306.

[0047]^([2]) Ichikawa, Y.; Yamashita, G.; Tokashiki, M.; Yamaji, T. Ind. Eng. Chem., 1070,62,38 .

[0048]^([3]) Yamazaki, S. Org.lett., 1999,1,2129.

[0049]^([4]) Higashijima, M. Chem. Lett. 1999, 1093.

[0050]^([5]) Sasson, Y.; Zappi, G, D.; Neumann, R. j. Org. Chem. 1986, 51,2880. 

1. A process for the oxidation of an alkyl-aromatic compound, wherein the aromatic compound is admixed with an oxidising agent or sulfur compound in the presence of an ionic liquid.
 2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein the oxidising agent is one or more of the group comprising: air, dioxygen, peroxide, superoxide, any other form of active oxygen, nitrite, nitrate, nitric acid or other oxides (or oxyhalides) of nitrogen (hydrated or anhydrous) and sulfur-acid/bases such as sulfuric acid or sulfonic acid.
 3. A process as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the process is carried out under Bronsted acidic conditions.
 4. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims involving the oxidation of the alkyl sidechain of the aromatic compound in the presence of a nitrogen oxyacid species.
 5. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein the nitrogen oxyacid species is a nitrate or nitric acid.
 6. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the ionic liquid and reaction products can be separated by means of one or more of the following processes comprising: distillation, steam distillation, azeotropic distillation, sublimation, gravity separation, solvent extraction, crystallisation, supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography.
 7. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cation of the ionic liquid is one or more of the group comprising: ammonium, pyrazolium, 1,3-dialkylimidazolium, pyridinium, alkyl- or poly-alkylpyridinium, alkyl- or poly-alkyl phosphonium.
 8. A process as claimed in claim 7 wherein cation is a 1,3-dialkylimidazolium cation such as 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium.
 9. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the anion of the ionic liquid is one or more of the group comprising: a sulfur-containing anion, such as sulfate, hydrogensulfate, non-sulfur-containing anions including those based on nitrogen, phosphorus, boron, silicon, selenium, tellurium, halogens, oxoanions of metals, and organic anions, such as trifluoroacetate, acetate, and anions that are arsenic, antimony, and bismuth-based.
 10. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein the anion is nitrate or methanesulfonate.
 11. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein more than one ionic liquid or any combination of ionic liquids is used.
 12. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an acid is present.
 13. A process as claimed in claim 12 wherein the acid is one or more of the group comprising: an oxoacid of nitrogen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or an organic acid anion (e.g. acetate or trifluoroacetate).
 14. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein the acid is one or more of the following group comprising: methanesulfonic acid, nitric acid, nitrous acid, nitrate or a nitrate salt.
 15. A process as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the ionic liquid/acid combination also acts as a catalyst for the oxidation.
 16. A process as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the acid can be re-oxidised by an oxidising agent such as dioxygen in air.
 17. A process as claimed in any one the preceding claims wherein the ionic liquid is [bmin] [OMs] and the oxidising agent is nitric acid.
 18. A process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the ionic liquid is [bmin] [NO₃] and the oxidising agent is methanesulfonic acid.
 19. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for the oxidation of alkylaromatics, toluene, xylene, or a benzene.
 20. A process as claimed in claim 19 for the oxidation of p-xylene.
 21. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the alkyl chain on the carbon atom next to the aromatic ring is oxidised.
 22. A process as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for the preparation of an aldehyde or alcohol.
 23. Use of an ionic liquid in a process as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
 22. 24. Use of an ionic liquid in the oxidation of alkylaromatics, toluene, xylene or a benzene.
 25. An oxidated alkyl-aromatic compound obtainable by a process as defined in any one of claims 1 to
 22. 26. A compound as claimed in claim 25 wherein the alkyl aromatic starting compound is an alkylaromatic, toluene, xylene or a benzene.
 27. A process substantially as hereindescribed and with reference to the Examples. 